Inductive power coupling systems for roadways

Abstract

This invention relates to a vehicle power coupling apparatus for a vehicle. The apparatus has a pickup coil arrangement for receiving an alternating magnetic field applied to the vehicle for generating power to operate the vehicle. The apparatus further has a shield for shielding a region including the pickup coil arrangement from an interior of the vehicle where a user of the vehicle may be present when the vehicle is in operation, and the shield includes at least one hole therein for providing access to one or more components of the vehicle for working on the one or more components. Additional aspects of the invention relate to receiving an alternating magnetic field and converting the alternating magnetic field into electrical power for recharging a vehicle and/or for providing motive power to the vehicle.

1 . A vehicle power coupling apparatus for a vehicle, the apparatus comprising a pickup coil arrangement for receiving an alternating magnetic field applied to the vehicle for generating power to operate the vehicle, the apparatus further having a shield for shielding a region including the pickup coil arrangement from an interior of the vehicle where a user of the vehicle may be present when the vehicle is in operation; and the shield includes at least one hole therein for providing access to one or more components of the vehicle for working on the one or more components. 
     
     
         2 . A vehicle power coupling apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one hole is included substantially spatially adjacent to a magnetic center of the pickup coil arrangement. 
     
     
         3 . A vehicle power coupling apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the shield is fabricated from a non-ferromagnetic electrically-conductive material. 
     
     
         4 . An electrical vehicle power coupling apparatus for receiving an alternating magnetic field and converting the alternating magnetic field into electrical power for recharging a vehicle and/or for providing motive power to the vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
 at least one pickup coil for receiving the alternating magnetic field;   a shield for shielding a region above the shield remote from the at least one pickup coil from the alternating magnetic field; and   wherein the at least one pickup coil is implemented as a plurality of elongate cable bunches.   
     
     
         5 . An electrical vehicle power coupling apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the at least one pickup coil is arranged to be excited at its fundamental resonance when in operation. 
     
     
         6 . An electrical vehicle power coupling apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the bunches are at least partially encapsulated in a composite material and/or a polymeric plastics material. 
     
     
         7 . An electrical vehicle power coupling apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the shield is fabricated from at least one of Aluminum, Aluminum Copper alloy, Magnesium alloy, Titanium, or Titanium alloy.